Australian Hardwood Timber Floor Care and Maintenance.
Australian Timber floors vary in ease of maintenance depending on the type of coating polish applied and the level of usage, but they consistently benefit from regular care. This not only prolongs the life of both the floor finish and the floor itself but also enhances their overall appearance. Eventually, however, the floor will require revitalisation, typically through buffing and re-coating. Some of the softer floor finishes may also benefit from the application of a metalised floor polish, which provides added durability. It's crucial to communicate maintenance guidelines to customers as it helps ensure ongoing satisfaction.
A Newly Finished Floor
Although a newly finished floor can be walked upon after initial curing, precautions are necessary until the coating system has fully solidified, which may take up to five days. Using the floor before it's fully cured increases the risk of scratching and scuffing. It's advisable not to lay carpet mats until after the floor finish has hardened completely, and rugs with rubber backing should be avoided as they can stain the finish. While light furniture can be placed and used during this period, furniture felt pads should be attached to the feet of tables and chairs to prevent damage. Heavy items like refrigerators should be moved carefully into place without dragging them over the floor. Furniture with castors should also be handled with care as they can indent softer wood and cause premature wear on the finish they come into contact with. These precautions ensure the longevity of the floor and maintain its pristine condition. Additionally, barrel type castors are less likely to damage the floor compared to round castors. Timber floors are generally easy to maintain and greatly benefit from regular care.
Here's a helpful video by Dan that provides an overview of how to clean your timber floors:
Dangers to Timber floors – Grit and Direct Sunshine.
The primary adversaries of your timber floor's finish are sand and grit, which can be tracked into your home on shoes, feet, or pet claws. These tiny particles act like sandpaper, causing scratches on your floors. Placing mats both outside and inside exterior doorways provides a simple and effective way to significantly reduce the amount of grit entering the home. Similarly, in high-traffic areas, carpet runners and rugs can be effective in both protecting the floor and enhancing the property's decor. The kitchen floor, in particular, experiences high wear, making a mat particularly beneficial in this area. Another factor to consider is the amount of direct sunlight reaching the timber floors. Direct intense sunlight can contribute to gaps and potential cupping of boards, as well as cause changes in the colour of both the boards and the floor finish over time. Some finishes for timber floors are more prone to darkening with age, and direct sunlight accelerates this process.
Filtered sunlight through sheer curtains or blinds provides an effective means of reducing colour changes and controlling gap size and board cupping. In some cases where window coverings are not preferred, and if sunlight is not controlled by patio roofing or awnings, rugs can be used to protect your timber.
Maintenance Strategy for Your Timber Floors
Establishing a regular cleaning routine is crucial for maintaining floors in excellent condition. Several factors determine how often the timber floor needs cleaning, including the level of grit present (especially from children and pets), the type of indoor and outdoor matting used, the level of foot traffic, the types of shoes worn, and the general conditions outside the home. Spills should be promptly wiped up, and any leaks addressed immediately.
Neglecting to address leaking pipes can lead to serious issues with floors, particularly when laid over sheet flooring or directly onto a slab. Scuff marks or stubborn stains can be removed with gentle rubbing using a timber floor cleaner. As some cleaners may be harsh on certain types of finishes, it is advisable to use the cleaning routine recommended by the finish manufacturer whenever possible.
Always test a small amount of the cleaner on a discreet area of your timber floor to confirm compatibility with the finish used. For routine cleaning of residential timber floors, an antistatic mop is effective for collecting dirt and grit. Walking on a dirty timber floor can quickly damage the finish. If a vacuum cleaner is used, regularly check the condition of the brushes to avoid scratching the floor. Avoid using power head vacuums, as they can cause fine scratches on the timber floor. Steam mops are not recommended for polished timber floors, as they can damage certain types of finishes and cause slipping on floating timber floors. Mats at entrances provide a simple way to limit the amount of grit entering the house.
Weekly damp mopping can also benefit timber floors. Ensuring the mop is only slightly damp will help maintain the finish. Use a neutral pH timber floor cleaner or a product recommended by the finish manufacturer for damp mopping. Harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners should be avoided, as well as methylated spirits and vinegar, as they can chemically attack some types of finishes, such as water-based polyurethane and penetrating oils. After wetting the mop, wring it out until it is damp, and mop the floor in this condition. Using clean water, a final mopping with a mop wrung out until it is dry can further remove excess moisture from the timber boards. Regularly check the protective pads on furniture legs to ensure they are clean of grit or need replacing.
Re-coating hardwood timber
Floors undergo various wear patterns, and signs that the floorboards require re-coating will initially appear in areas of higher wear. It is essential to ensure that excessive wear has not occurred if a complete re-sanding and re-finishing is to be avoided. Check the finish of the timber in the high wear areas, and if a few drops of water bead on the surface, the finish is still intact and may only require cleaning rather than re-coating. However, if the water starts to soak in after a few minutes and the timber colour darkens, then the finish is partially worn, and re-finishing should be undertaken. Providing the details of the original coating system to the sander and finisher ensures compatibility between existing and the new coating.
